More than 1,000 incidents of rape and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) have been documented in Niger State from January to July 2025.
Mrs. Mary Isa, Director of Planning and Gender-Based Focal Person at the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Minna, said the figures came from various non-governmental organisations.
These reports were compiled into a central system for proper tracking and submission to the National Dashboard.
She said the ministry is actively responding to the situation through awareness campaigns and partnerships with security agencies.
“The ministry has been conducting sensitization programmes in markets, mechanic workshops, Emirate Councils, and schools to raise awareness about GBV and encourage victims to report to relevant authorities,” she said.
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Despite these steps, she noted that very few offenders have been arrested. Another major obstacle, according to her, is that many parents prefer to settle rape cases privately within families instead of seeking justice.
Isa added that the ministry has trained service providers in all 25 local government areas of the state.
These individuals are positioned to receive and handle reports of physical, sexual, emotional, and other forms of GBV.